Military Instructors Manual Part 9

The authorities for statements under the Platoon Leader and below are not given after each statement but the paragraphs from which they are deduced are given under the heading for each grade. This course was thought necessary to avoid repet.i.tion.

I. THE COLONEL.

POSITION--(369, 380, 528--i.d.r.)

1. Advancing to the battlefield: as (a) Independent commander ordinarily with the advance guard in order that he may: 1. Receive information promptly.

2. Personally see the situation (reconnoiter).

3. Order the deployment.

4. Begin the action strictly in accordance with his own wishes.

(b) Subordinate commander (427, i.d.r.).

After receiving his order for the action, precedes his command as far as possible in order to: 1. Personally reconnoiter the ground.

2. Be prepared to issue his orders promptly.

Note--For a discussion of the position of leaders see Subject V.

2. During the action; such as will enable him to: (a) Observe the progress of events.

(b) Receive and transmit messages and orders.

(c) Be in constant, direct, and easy communication with the reserve. (369, i.d.r.)

DUTIES:

a. After having received his orders, the regimental commander leads his regiment forward in a column, or in line of columns, until the time arrives for issuing the regimental order, he then: (426, i.d.r.) b. a.s.signs targets and sectors or tasks to battalions and special units. (312, 381 and 426, i.d.r.) c. Provides for necessary reconnaissance to front and flank. (428, i.d.r.) d. Announces his position and also that of the next higher commander.

e. Controls the reserve as the tactical situation demands. (441, i.d.r.) f. Regulates ammunition supply. (316, f.s.r. and 552, i.d.r.) See also full discussion of the ammunition supply in Subject VIII.

Note--The colonel is a.s.sisted in the performance of his duties by the regimental staff.

II. THE MAJOR.

The battalion is the attack unit whether acting alone or as part of a larger force. (305, i.d.r.)

POSITION:

(The general rules for a colonel apply)

1. Where he can best: a. Direct the reinforcing of the firing line from the support. (315, i.d.r.) b. Observe the progress of events, (369, i.d.r.) c. Maintain contact with regimental headquarters. (369, i.d.r.)

2. On the firing line when all the supports have joined. (315, i.d.r.) (See Subject V.)

GENERAL.

DUTIES:

1. Conducts his battalion according to sector and mission a.s.signed him.

2. Directs first disposition of battalion by tactical orders, giving subordinates-- a. Information of the enemy.

b. Position of supporting and neighboring troops.

c. The general object to be attained.

d. The special problem for each company (291, i.d.r.) (This includes making the primary apportionment of the target.) (303, i.d.r.) e. If practicable, the point or time at which the fire fight is to open. (304, i.d.r.) f. Orders for flank protection and reconnaissance, unless specifically provided for by higher authority. (293, 397 and 398, i.d.r.) g. His position and that of the next higher commander.

3. Controls supports, dispatches reinforcements from support to firing line. (226 and 297, i.d.r.) 4. Controls subsequent movements by suitable orders or commands.

(291, i.d.r.) 5. Regulates ammunition supply--(See Subject VIII, also Pars.

316-317, f.s.r.) (The combat train is the immediate reserve supply of the battalion.) a. Is responsible for the proper use of the combat train.

b. Insures maintenance of the prescribed allowance at all times.

c. Causes combat trains to march immediately in rear of the battalion unless directed otherwise. (548, i.d.r.) d. When battalion deployed on his own initiative, indicates whether extra ammunition shall be issued. (294, i.d.r.) e. When battalion deployed pursuant to orders from higher authority, causes issue of extra ammunition unless specifically ordered not to do so. (294, 548, i.d.r.) f. When combat wagons are emptied, directs them to proper rendezvous to be refilled. (548, i.d.r.) g. Sees that combat wagons and belts of men are refilled as soon as possible after an engagement. (553, i.d.r.) 6. Maintains contact with adjoining troops. (399 i.d.r.) 7. May harmonize ranges used by the companies on the firing line.

8. Determines when bayonets shall be fixed. (318, i.d.r.) 9. Subject to orders from higher authority, determines the point from which the charge to be made. (319, i.d.r.) 10. Orders the charge. (318, i.d.r.)

SPECIAL.

1. _In attack_: a. May select formation in which companies advance. (212, i.d.r.) b. Designates-- 1. The direction of the objective. (303, i.d.r.) 2. The companies for the firing line.

3. The companies for the support.

4. The order and front of the companies in the firing line.

5. The right or left company of the firing line as the base company.

6. May indicate when the advance by rushes is to start.

(311, i.d.r.) 2. _In defense_: a. Describes front of each company. (292, i.d.r.) b. a.s.signs sector of fire. (244, 302, i.d.r.) c. Locates fire, communicating and cover trenches.

d. Directs preparation of obstacles.

e. a.s.signs companies to construct trenches and obstacles.

f. Details troops to occupy trenches. (321, i.d.r.) g. Causes firing line and supports to fix bayonets when a charge by the enemy is imminent. (324, i.d.r.) h. Seeks opportunities for counter attacks. (326, i.d.r.)

III. BATTALION STAFF.

POSITIONS:

Battalion Adjutant } Battalion Sergeant Major } with Major.

Mounted orderlies--both with Major (one with major and one with Adjutant) until horses are sent to rear when both may be with the horses or one take the horses and the other remain with the major, as he may direct.

DUTIES:

All a.s.sist the major in any way directed, by a. Reconnaissance. (565, i.d.r., 25, f.s.r.) b. Observation of the firing line.

c. Maintaining contact with regimental headquarters.

d. Maintaining contact with the support.

e. Receiving, communicating, and sending visual signals from and to front and rear.

f. Observing fire effect and progress of events.

g. Keeping copies of all orders, messages, and other data necessary, for his war diary. (35, f.s.r.)

When there is only one range finder to the battalion, the Battalion Sergeant Major is the Battalion Range Taker. When not actually engaged in taking ranges, he a.s.sists the Major as above or, preferably, he may be charged with the duty of maintaining communication with the companies of the firing line.

The major designates a sergeant to take charge of the battalion combat train. Under the Major's direction, he a. Conducts combat train as far to the front with the battalion as directed.

b. Issues ammunition to the battalion.

c. Takes combat train to rendezvous for refilling, under direction of the regimental commander.

d. Rejoins battalion, if it is not in action, or, if it be engaged, joins or establishes communication with the regimental reserve. (548, 549 and 553, i.d.r.) (This sergeant is not provided for in the present organization. Recommendation has been made to the War Department that he be included in the Tables of Organization.)

IV. THE CAPTAIN.

(The Fire Director.)

POSITION: _Where he can best:_

1. Control his four platoons. (248, i.d.r.) 2. Observe fire effect. (249, i.d.r.) 3. See the major and platoon chiefs. (234, i.d.r.)